Chapter 18 The Path of Our Cultivation Requires Humility

"My eldest disciple will face a calamity in four years. If I assist from behind the scenes, how would his life change?"

Lu Changsheng simulated Lin Qingzhi's life again, this time under the premise that at the age of 19, when ambushed by an Elder of the Demon Sects, he would secretly come to the rescue.

[Ding, you have changed the conditions, the system is re-simulating the life of the disciple "Lin Qingzhi".]

[Ding, today's simulation attempts -1.]

[Simulation begins:]

[At 16, under your dedicated guidance, Lin Qingzhi broke through to the Golden Core Realm.]

[At 18, the young disciples of Mount Shu ventured out for experiential training.]

[At 19, the Mount Shu team that Lin Qingzhi was a part of completed their training mission and were ambushed by Demon Sect disciples on their way back to Mount Shu.]

[When the Elder of the Demon Sects thought he could annihilate all the Mount Shu disciples, you appeared from behind the scenes, killing the Elder with a single palm strike.]

[Elder of the Demon Sects, deceased.]

[At 25, Lin Qingzhi went down the mountain again for training and, during a dispute, defeated Xiao Xiangdao.]

[At 33, during the great calamity of the righteous path in Xia State, Lin Qingzhi fought alongside you and Lian against the four great Demon Sects and the Demon Race.]

[At 40, because you continually infused him with power, the mediocrely talented Lin Qingzhi broke through to the Dao Palace Realm.]

[At 42, Lin Qingzhi was plotted against in a major battle with the Demon Sects.]

[Lin Qingzhi, deceased.]

[Simulation ends.]

Lin Qingzhi died, again??

Lu Changsheng rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

This eldest disciple of his, saddled with poor Qi Destiny, when would his fortune finally turn?

People with the Heart of the Innocent are naive and are easily plotted against, and they exhibit mediocre talent in the early stages. The path of cultivation is extremely fraught with hardships.

The life of Lin Qingzhi, compared to that of his junior sister Lian's, which is monstrous, seemed somewhat lackluster.

Lu Changsheng was betting on Lin Qingzhi's potential for the future.

According to the ancient records of Mount Shu, cultivators with the Heart of the Innocent might one day achieve Path Comprehension and ascend to immortality.

Furthermore, having an innocent-hearted eldest disciple in the future to manage his younger brothers and sisters would mean that Lu Changsheng wouldn't need to worry too much and could focus on his own cultivation.

"Even if this unlucky eldest disciple of mine has a difficult fate at the beginning, I can simulate his life and assist at critical junctures, helping him to turn danger into safety... I hope he can achieve something great in the future."

While Lu Changsheng took disciples to exploit the system, a day as a teacher meant a lifetime as a father; he couldn't help but worry about his disciple's fate.

"I've used up both simulation chances for today, I'll simulate again later."

Lu Changsheng knew he could change his disciple's fate at critical junctures, so he wasn't in a hurry.

If in four years Lu Changsheng were to intervene, the eldest disciple Lin Qingzhi would be free from any life-threatening concerns before the age of 42.

Lu Changsheng meditated in a seated position, continuing to cultivate the fifth layer of the Supreme Purity Limitless Technique.

Although the system could return cultivation levels, Lu Changsheng still had to rely on himself to practice cultivation techniques and consolidate his realm.

In the following month, Lu Changsheng alternately rewarded his two disciples with elixir pills, continuing the power-infusing initiation.

One month later, Lian had already mastered the second layer of the Purple Flame Primordial Art.

Lu Changsheng began to teach Lian martial techniques.

With Lu Changsheng's Dao Palace Realm, simultaneously cultivating the Supreme Purity Limitless Technique and the Nine Dragons Refinement Technique, he had plenty of leeway in instructing the Qi Transformation Realm Martial King Divine Physique.

[Ding, you have rewarded your disciple "Lian" with a Profound Rank mid-grade martial technique "Rapid Dragon Break", receiving a 400-fold payback reward: a Heaven Rank mid-grade martial technique "Azure Dragon Nine Forms".]

[Ding, you have awarded your disciple "Lian" a high-grade Spiritual Artifact "Red Fire Spear," and have received a thousandfold return reward for teaching: a low-grade Innate Spirit Treasure "Unparalleled Overlord Spear."]

[Ding, the number of rewardable opportunities today -2, the remaining number of rewardable opportunities is 0.]

Lu Changsheng held a Red Tassel Spear in both hands, demonstrating the thirteen spear techniques of the "Rapid Dragon Break."

A glint of cold light arrived first, followed by a spear thrust like a dragon!

The Red Tassel Spear whistled through the air, creating gusts of wind, its movements as fluid as drifting clouds and water, like a wind dragon roaring in a gale.

Lu Changsheng practiced the Sword Dao, but with his Innate Taoist Body, comprehending Profound Rank martial techniques was as simple to him as eating and drinking were for mortals.

Lian sat propped up by her hands, watching avidly.

Her eyes shone bright, filled with great interest.

After all, she was a descendant of the Huang Tribe, born with the Martial King Divine Physique; in her golden blood flowed genes that yearned for battle!

"Have you memorized it?"

"Mhm, I've remembered it all!"

Lian leaped up excitedly, wielding the Red Fire Spear, and adeptly executed the spear techniques recorded in "Rapid Dragon Break."

Because Lian was still small in stature, she looked somewhat comical wielding the long spear, but one should not underestimate the power of the Martial King Divine Physique.

As the long spear swirled, it occasionally produced the sound of tearing through air, and its force left cracks on the stone walls of the cave dwelling.

"This little one is indeed best suited for the martial path. When she is told to meditate and cultivate, she always seems restless, but when it comes to learning Profound Rank martial techniques, she masters them after just one look."

Lu Changsheng sighed at the affinity of the Martial King Divine Physique for martial arts.

Nevertheless, Lu Changsheng still pushed his little disciple to cultivate the Dao alongside her martial training, in order to unlock all her potential and allow her to go farther in the future.

"It's time to break through to the second layer of the Dao Palace Realm."

After teaching Lian the spear techniques, Lu Changsheng refined the cultivation he had received in return for the power-infusing initiation over the past month and went into seclusion for seven days.

Lu Changsheng was excessively cautious, accumulating strength in each realm before moving on; only when he was completely certain of success did he formally enter seclusion.

Seven days later, Lu Changsheng emerged from his cave dwelling, and when Lin Qingzhi and Lian saw their master again, they felt he had become even more unfathomable.

"It's time to give you your power-infusing initiation again."

Lu Changsheng's advancement to the second layer of the Dao Palace Realm was as smooth as the flow of water reaching its channel; fresh out of seclusion, he did not forget to take advantage of the system rewards.

"Every ten years, Mount Shu has a grand ceremony to accept new disciples. And every third year after the entry of each generation of disciples, there is an opportunity for them to spar with each other to see the progress of their cultivation over the three years, known as the 'Mount Shu Disciples Assembly.' Following that is their first foray out of the mountain for experience."

While preparing to perform the power-infusing initiation on his senior disciple Lin Qingzhi, Lu Changsheng recalled some of the Mount Shu's sect rules.

"Disciple will definitely perform well and dare not bring shame to Master's name."

Moved by Lu Changsheng's continuous power-infusing initiations that helped him improve his cultivation, Lin Qingzhi made a vow to make his master proud.

"Cough cough, when the time comes, restrain yourselves and do not display your full strength."

"Master, why is that?"

"The tree that sticks out from the forest gets blown down by the wind; the sediment that rises high on the riverbank gets eroded by the current; the person who stands taller than others will be the target of envy. By observing past lessons, we can prevent repeating the same mistakes. In short, we cultivators should keep a low profile and not be competitive."

Lu Changsheng spoke earnestly.

The Demon Sects of this world would not tolerate the growth of a protagonist; if they found a genius perceived as a threat, they would do whatever it took to eliminate them early on.

Only by lying low could there be a greater chance to reach sainthood.

Lin Qingzhi bowed solemnly, "Disciple will keep it in mind."

Lian's eyes, however, were filled with great confusion. What did keeping a low profile mean? Was it something one could eat?